Fee waivers, sliding scales and scholarships published by the
organizations that run these programs — each with who is eligible and the page
that decides it. Nothing here is estimated from a family's income, and a program with
no aid published simply does not appear. A few are awards toward college rather than
help with a program fee; those are labelled College scholarship.
17 schemes serve Worcester families.
Sliding scale
YMCA of Central Massachusetts
Y-Access Pricing / Financial Assistance
An income-based sliding scale for monthly YMCA membership dues at the association's Worcester branches (Central Community YMCA and Greendale Family YMCA), set by household income and household size.
- Who is eligible
- Open to 'every person and family'; dues are read from a published household-income chart and 'documentation of household income is required for Y Access Pricing.'
College scholarship
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester scholarships
Several named college scholarships (including the Ann & Bill Comaskey, CIELO, Be Great: Graduate!, IA Financial Advisors Future Business Leader, Kumar Family and Pasquale J. DiBara funds) awarded annually to Club members.
- Who is eligible
- Each year the Club 'awards several scholarships to members who have demonstrated excellence both in and out of the classroom'; individual funds are open to graduating high-school senior Club members, with some giving special consideration to first-generation college students.
College scholarship
Greater Worcester Community Foundation
Greater Worcester Community Foundation scholarship program
One application matched to more than 140 scholarship funds, described by the Foundation as the largest source of scholarship support for students from the Worcester County area.
- Who is eligible
- 'The majority of our scholarships are awarded to current high school seniors who live in the 60 cities and towns that make up Worcester County. Applicants should intend to enroll full-time in an undergraduate two or four-year degree program at an accredited college or university.'
Scholarship
Worcester Art Museum
Worcester Art Museum studio class scholarships
Full scholarships covering class tuition for adult, teen and youth studio art classes, awarded on the basis of need or merit.
- What it covers
- 100% of class tuition
- Who is eligible
- 'The Museum offers full scholarships to adult, teen, and youth students who require financial assistance... may be awarded based on need or merit. Letters of recommendation may be submitted in place of financial documentation for merit-based consideration.'
Financial aid
EcoTarium
EcoTarium camp financial assistance
Need-based financial assistance toward EcoTarium camp tuition, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
- What it covers
- Up to full program tuition
- Who is eligible
- 'Need-based camp financial assistance is available. Financial assistance covers up to full program tuition with funds awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.'
Financial aid
Girls Inc. of Worcester
Girls Inc. of Worcester after-school vouchers and scholarships
Vouchers and scholarships that reduce the daily fee for the Girls Inc. of Worcester after-school program for girls ages 5-18.
College scholarship
Greater Worcester Community Foundation
AVID North Scholarship
A one-time scholarship, managed through the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, for Worcester North High School graduates who completed AVID.
- What it covers
- $300 – $5,000 (one-time)
- Who is eligible
- Specifically for graduating seniors from North High School who have participated in AVID for 4 years.
College scholarship
Scholarship America
The Hanover Insurance Community and AVID Scholarship Program
A scholarship administered by Scholarship America for Worcester County students in the AVID program, listed by Worcester Public Schools.
- What it covers
- $1,000 to $2,000
- Who is eligible
- For high school seniors in Worcester County, MA who are in the AVID program; must have been in AVID for 2 years, be a senior in an AVID elective, and enroll full-time in an associate or bachelor's program.
Financial aid
Junior Railers Hockey Club (juniorrailers.com)
Junior Railers Hockey Financial Aid
Need-based scholarships for club hockey programs, capped at 50% of tuition; a financial aid application and paid deposit are required by program-specific deadlines. Not offered for Learn to Play or Half Season programs.
- Who is eligible
- "any child with the desire, commitment, and ability to play hockey have the opportunity regardless of financial ability"
Financial aid
The Hanover Theatre (thehanovertheatre.org)
Conservatory Tuition Financial Assistance
Need-based scholarships toward Conservatory class and summer-program tuition, plus no-cost monthly payment plans on orders over $200. Awards are decided on financial need and available funds and may not cover the full amount requested.
- Who is eligible
- "Any family or individual who feels unable to afford the full tuition cost of desired classes may apply for financial assistance."
Sliding scale
The T.E.C. Schools (thetecschools.com)
Variable Tuition
Sliding-scale tuition for Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary and Middle School programs, set from each family's financial profile rather than income alone (reviewed via SchoolRIGHT/BeneFAQ). Families must re-apply each year.
- Who is eligible
- "Variable Tuition is offered for our Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School programs."
Financial aid
Why Me & Sherry's House (whyme.org)
Direct Financial Assistance
Direct financial help, plus gas/grocery/clothing gift cards, for families of children with cancer, reviewed individually. Serves Worcester families through Sherry's House.
- Who is eligible
- "Why Me provides limited direct-financial assistance to families on a case-by-case basis."
Sliding scale
Mass Audubon (Broad Meadow Brook, Worcester; massaudubon.org)
Camp for All sliding-scale camp tuition
Day-camp tuition set on a five-tier sliding scale based on annual gross income, chosen at registration with income verification through CampDoc. Additional financial assistance and payment plans available if cost is still a barrier.
- Who is eligible
- "every family will enroll for camp at a tuition rate based on their annual gross income"
Fee waiver
Mass Audubon (Broad Meadow Brook, Worcester; massaudubon.org)
Expanding Access admission program
Free sanctuary admission for EBT, WIC and ConnectorCare cardholders, Wonderfund Access cardholders, active-duty military and self-identified Indigenous people in Massachusetts.
- Who is eligible
- "Free for up to 4 people when you show your EBT card"
Sibling discount
Santana Art Studio (santanartstudio.com)
Sibling Discount
10% sibling discount on art classes after the first registration, and the studio states it accepts vouchers. Studio is located in Worcester, MA (358 Burncoat Street).
- Who is eligible
- "Sibling Discount: 10% (After 1st registration)"
Sibling discount
CM Dance Academy (cmdanceacademy.com)
Sibling Discount
10% off each sibling's rate, plus a 10% discount for paying the year in full by November 1 and monthly installment billing. Worcester studio (65 Water St.).
- Who is eligible
- "10% off each sibling rate"
Sibling discount
Bancroft Summer (bancroftsummer.org)
Summer Camp Sibling Discount
$25 sibling discount when registrations are submitted at the same time; Bancroft faculty/staff also eligible for additional discounts. Worcester school campus.
- Who is eligible
- "A Sibling discount of $25 is applied to eligible family enrollments when registrations are submitted at the same time."